In Game 3 of the Philadelphia 76ers’ and the New York Knicks’ playoff series, there appeared to be some controversy surrounding main player Joel Embiid’s game. His sensational half-hundred points might give him merit, but his nonconformist physical play, especially the flagrant foul on Mitchell Robinson, enraged many and spurred people to reject him, literally speaking.
When Embiid fouled Mitchell Robinson in the first quarter, many people were suspicious, with some calling him dirty. The episode, in which Mitchell Robinson sustained a left ankle injury and later was seen walking in a boot, upset the already high-anxiety series atmosphere.
Should Joel Embiid have been ejected for this?
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) April 26, 2024
While Embiid had his way of explaining his actions, as he tried to cite the self-defence issue, the nature of the foul raised many question marks about its fairness and subsequent danger to the players’ safety. The chief referee, Zach Zarba, added that though the foul met the standards of flagrant 1, it did not mean that it also met the standards of flagrant 2, as in that case the player would have been ejected.
Knicks’ responses to the foul differed, with the chase’s statement of intent being that getting off is a dirty play. Opposite of it is the desperate voice of Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau, who is questioning who started that as evidence of the hostile moments within the event.
Third controversial Embiid play of the night pic.twitter.com/vyYv01Q8h6
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) April 26, 2024
Embiid’s play, coupled with the physicality of this series, paves the way for a tense and competitive Game 4. Teams will try to re-establish their momentum with the score of the match on the line. Nonetheless, Embiid has been given a rough reception by the New Yorkers at the upcoming key Game 5 fixtures, given the emotional environment surrounding his repute in the series.
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